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What material did they use in the joints between body panels?

Discussion in 'Early Jeep Restoration and Research' started by IRQVET, Mar 11, 2015.

  1. Mar 11, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
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    What material did they use in the joints between body panels? I'm stripping the body on mine right now, and I found some melted lead, but down the seams there was another material I'm not familiar with.
     
  2. Mar 12, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    Nothing would be the quick answer.

    The military ones had some canvas welting between the tub & fenders for squeak control, that was about it.

    I did use seam sealer in some of the cracks, i.e. cowl/windshield support, when I put Tonk back together but that's because the metal was bent enough from diss-assembly there were gaps where appeared likely the paint wouldn't bridge.

    H.
     
  3. Mar 12, 2015
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    "Melted lead" sounds like an old-fashioned body-shop repair.
     
  4. Mar 12, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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  5. Mar 12, 2015
    IRQVET

    IRQVET Bubbaification Exorcist

    Tallahassee, FL.
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    I thought the same thing, but the sheet metal doesn't look like it was ever replaced. I could be wrong, and maybe their work quality that long ago was just that good . . . I have no idea.
     
  6. Mar 13, 2015
    homersdog

    homersdog Tulsa, Ok 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Tulsa, OK
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    It is not pure lead, it is mixed with tin, like solder. It is still available. IIRC it was used on the assembly line to make repairs or to fill misalignment gaps, but I could not find a source on google to confirm this.

    Here is an interesting article about why it is used.

    http://www.willhoitautorestoration.com/leadvspolyester.php
     
  7. Mar 13, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    They used lead body filler back when there was no good substitute. Polyester body filler has entirely replaced lead in body work, except in very rare instances.

    "The Key To Metal Bumping" http://www.amazon.com/Key-To-Metal-Bumping-Book/dp/B002S4Y7RS is from the lead era and shows how they had to get the steel back to original shape, because they could only apply a thin layer of lead to smooth out the rough patches. Modern body fillers make this work go a lot faster, but they also allow much lower standards of metal work because they can hide rippled steel under a thick coat of filler (not a good practice, but commonly done).

    Polyester fillers (Rage, Bondo, etc.) use talc to give bulk and easy sanding to the putty, and talc absorbs water. Don't leave polyester filler exposed to the air, or the steel underneath will rust. So don't use bondo to fill seams.

    Seam sealers like I linked above are impermeable to water and can be exposed on their backside. Bondo made with fiberglass instead of talc (Kitty Hair etc.) or aluminum filled (Metal-2-Metal) can also be exposed to air. So you could use these for seam sealer, but the commercial seam sealers are easier to work with.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2015
  8. Mar 13, 2015
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

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    IIRC cowl-to-windshield-support, cowl-to-body-side and back-panel-to-body-side should all have seam sealer.
     
  9. Mar 13, 2015
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    When I tore Tonk & Maggie down there was nothing obvious & I had every panel that could come apart apart including the cowl sections. I would have expected something between the cowl & vertical piece but I guess that's why they put the curved section inside- to act as a rain gutter.

    That's not to say I didn't use sealer when Tonk went back together- I certainly did, along with putting POR15 on all the seam flanges that are hidden (after masking the spot weld points of course)

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    And remember folks- always use genuine Monkey Brand (TM) stickers for your spot welding masking needs!

    Monkey Brand- the brand the pros use!


    [​IMG]


    H.
     
    Last edited: Mar 13, 2015
  10. Mar 13, 2015
    Warloch

    Warloch Did you say Flattie??? Staff Member

    Falcon, CO
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    That was a standard 'smoothing' technique used by the hot rod world back in the day (yes, I'm old enough to have done it). You would melt it on a wood tray to a simi liquid state, smooth it on with various wooden spatulas, file and then sand smooth. This was normally done in areas where you would not be taking the body apart, or it was done to make firm lines that could be even and strong (consistent gap). We would fill areas to pull trim and 'smooth' the lines on a rod with it.
     
  11. Aug 3, 2022
    red61cj5

    red61cj5 Just fell off the turnip truck!

    wv
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    What I found between my fenders and tub looked like a strip of canvas web belt material. I am getting ready to put the body back together, the "welting kit" from KW is 50$ for 2 fenders. On the other hand, I have a roll of OD green canvas webbing belt in my shop. Is it the same stuff? Any reason not to use it?
     
  12. Aug 3, 2022
    Dave B

    Dave B Frankenjeep '67

    Northern Minnesota
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    If it gets wet & retains moisture I wouldn't.
     
  13. Aug 4, 2022
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

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    The 1960’s Jeep bodies used a ribbon calk, like Moretite, in the seams between the front fenders-to-firewall, the grill-to-front fender, the tunnel floor plates around the pedals and transmission, and the windshield bottom gasket to the frame (where it screws on).
    I’m assuming this sealant was used as a seam sealer and to help eliminate squeaks. You used to be able to buy the material on a roll, cutting off strips as needed.
    The only canvas type welting was used on top of the grill where the hood rests.
    -Donny
     
    Beach66Bum likes this.
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